A Nap Nanny recall will see 150,000 units of the popular baby recliners returned to major stores, after reports of at least five infant deaths and dozens of cases of children almost falling out of the special reclining systems.

The shocking number of incidences has been announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday as the recall was announced.

In response to the deaths and near-injuries the company is now recalling Nap Nanny Generations One and Two, and the Chill model infant recliners. All were sold between 2009 and 2012, according to reports.

The Nap Nanny has been a popular purchase among families with new babies, as it is promoted to mimic the curves of a baby car seat. It is said to elevate an infant to help counter reflux, gas and stuffiness that babies often suffer from.

However, the CPSC has now announced that the Napp Nanny's design, warnings and instructions are defective, and that the product poses a substantial risk of injury and even death to infants using it.

The recall has been led by four of the United States' largest retailers; Amazon. Best Buy, Diapers.com, and Toys R Us. Those stores have voluntarily participated in the recall, according to The Associated Press, because the manufacturer, Baby Matters LLC, has been unable to participate, the CPSC has said.

Baby Matters LLC went out of business earlier in December meaning it is unable to issue and organize the recall itself.

Prior to going out of business owner and founder Leslie Gudel has said that the company did not believe that the CPSC complaint had any merit, and insisted that its product was safe if used as instructed.

Four deaths have been linked to the first version of the recliner and one death has been while an infant was in the second version. Another 22 reports have been recorded whereby infants have been found hanging out or falling over the side of the Nap Nanny.